My dreams for what I intend Fido’s to be for the community, charities and dogs, are slowly coming to fruition. As a new business, my family and I are waist deep in the operations of Fido’s, working to provide customer service and become profitable. With the long hours we put in to operate the bar and care for the dogs, it’s challenging to create time to turn my creative thoughts into events. Despite the work load, Fido’s…along with our Charity partner Oregon Friends Of Shelter Animals, are making great strides. 19 dogs adopted. Anonymous patron donations to Oregon Friends are becoming regular. We are fine tuning our rules and procedures for public interaction with the “rescues”. There is also, promising activity that I have managed to squeeze in between serving customers, getting dogs adopted and managing all aspects of the business.

EVENTS: The unique nature of combining a tap room with rescue dogs and dog charities provides for some never before seen events. Dates and times are posted on our Facebook page.

Hop Valley Tap Takeover and Mountain Wave Search & Rescue (MWSAR). $1 from every Hop Valley pint benefits charity, and MWSAR will have a search/rescue demonstration to find a volunteer hidden in the woods. This event features the unique elements of The World’s First Dog Tap House. Enjoy great drink and food. Enjoy and learn about the world of dogs. Raise money for charities that have working dogs, rescue dogs, dog welfare, etc. This event spreads public awareness of the value dogs provide to society. Increased public awareness leads to better legislation to protect all dogs.

Who Let The Dogs Out! Three for profit dog businesses combine to support The Pixie Project. Cycle Dog makes a wide variety of pet accessories using recyclable materials. A portion of their sales on Saturday will benefit Pixie. Ultimate Dog is a successful, growing mobile grooming business. Bring your dog in for a nail trim for $12 and $2 will be donated to Pixie. Finally, Dog Therapy. Every entry into the Fido’s room to play with the pups, generates $1 for the Pixie Project.

Humane Society United States & Best Friends Animal Society. They have selected Fido’s to be their location in Portland, to meet and strategize on how to change local, state and national legislation that puts the priority of rescue dogs, before puppy mills and the retail pet stores that continue to exploit these mills. National representatives from both charities will be present to strategize and coordinate their efforts. This is an informational meeting with patrons invited to listen.

This is just the “tip” of activities we have for the future. I am humbled and grateful for the community response to this “experiment”. A bar / restaurant is one of the most challenging businesses to operate. A hybrid bar with adoptable rescue dogs has never been done before. There are many behind the scenes challenges that FIdo’s and OFOSA are working through. The best interests of the dogs and patrons is always in the forefront of our minds.

The mission of Fido’s is “to provide a fun, welcoming and educational social environment that inspires patrons to adopt homeless dogs”. In this regard, I can say that we are successful. As we become more well known, and the patronage increases, I expect Fido’s to become the model that hundreds of businesses will copy to help benefit charities and the dogs they work diligently to love, protect and use for the good of society.

Thank you to all patrons and charities that have responded to this experiment known as Fido’s – The World’s First Dog Tap House.

The World’s First Dog Tap House will have some terrific and unique events during the Grand Opening week. The Mayor of Tigard, John Cook, will be at the Ribbon Ceremony but don’t expect the traditional “cutting”. This is Fido’s and we have something special in store for the ceremony from Harmony Canine Training. Oregon Friends Of Shelter Animals will be present as well as Kellee Beaudry, 4 Muddy Paws Art. We will have numerous fun and unique activities planned for the entire week. Come see this unique tap house where you can Eat. Drink. Adopt!

A lease is signed and I am grateful to Walmart for trusting in me and the Fido’s concept. It will take about 4 months for the space at 7700 SW Dartmouth St. #110, Tigard, to be “built out”. We estimate a “soft opening” around August 1st. This location offers everything I dreamed of: Space for rescue dogs, seating for 65, thirty beer taps, a good food menu, patio and even a walking trail! I’m contacting charities to feature in our first month and for the official “Grand Opening”, which will be about 2 months after we open. Eat. Drink. Adopt!

I’m pleased to announce that we have passed the last major hurdle for a lease and are on the home stretch. Working on finalizing the floor plan for approval by landlord. Should have a signed lease within 10-12 days. The space is in Tigard near 217 / Pacific Hwy. It is a near perfect space for Fido’s. 2900 sq ft with a patio. Patrons can bring their Fido’s to sit on the patio with them. I want Fido’s to revolutionize how a commercial business can assist rescue charities. Yes we are a craft beer taproom, but you will not see a single beer sign anywhere other than the taps. Even the TV’s will play dog videos from YouTube and slide shows. We will feature and regularly promote Charities and provide them a venue to educate us on their mission. Events will feature guests from Authors, Artists, Photographers, Charities, Trainers, Police Dogs and eventually…dog loving celebrities. I promise that the World’s First Dog TapHouse will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. If you love dogs, you’ll love FIDO’S.

Received a wonderful surprise message today from Francesco Buonanotte, the administrator for the official FaceBook page of the Real Fido from Italy. He is flattered by the business name and that we posted the original story of Fido on our website. Responded in kind by thanking and liking Facebook/Fido Borgo San Lorenzo

Grounds & Hounds Coffee Company approves letting Fido’s post their logo to ILoveFidos.com The synergy of partnering with vendors with like minded missions to save shelter dogs will ultimatetly make Fido’s Vision a success.

I met the owner of Ad-Mark Promotional products, Jennifer Rose. Whadayaknow! She LOVES dogs and has a long history of helping doggie non-profits. This is exactly the type of vendor that will help make Fido’s a huge success.